Larry Fleet’s “Try Texas” weaves a narrative of longing, identity crisis and hope. It establishes a vivid world that fluctuates between emotional turbulence and serene contemplation. The song explores both personal and collective experiences, embracing a range of themes such as disillusionment with societal changes, desire for a peaceful life, a strong sense of family values, and a quest for personal and communal identity.
In the introductory lines of the song, the protagonist expresses discomfort with rising expenses, negative media narratives, and lack of community intimacy. He yearns for a tranquil, familiar environment – a quiet dirt road, a safe haven for his children, reflecting a longing for simpler times and a sense of comfort and security.
The chorus introduces a quest for belonging, perhaps an emblem of the individual and collective identity crisis that calls into question the societal norms and geographical emotional constraints that seem to define our existence. The protagonist contemplates various states, each symbolizing different lifestyles and societal expectations, eventually pondering if he’d find home and acceptance in Texas.
A strong reverence for traditional values is prevalent throughout the song. The protagonist covets a life where respect and decency are fundamental, implying a desire to instill these values in his children. This augments the theme of family and community values and the importance of their transmission to younger generations.
The bridge anchors the protagonist’s yearning for tranquility, praying under a starry sky for a life filled with family love, religious devotion, and overall fulfillment. It serves as a formidable force in the protagonist’s journey to find a proper setting for himself and his family.
In essence, “Try Texas” is poignant with a deep yearning for a wholesome life that threads together traditional values, familial love, and religious devotion. It explores the protagonist’s dilemma of finding a place where he belongs, somewhere his identity and ideals align with the society. There’s an overwhelmingly emotional quality as the song oscillates between dissatisfaction with changes in society and hope for a better future, all through the lens of an ‘outlaw’ finding his place in the world.